Miles College is a strong fit for students seeking an affordable private college experience with significant financial aid support, particularly first-generation and Pell-eligible students who value small class sizes and personalized attention. The college works well for students prioritizing accessibility and community over maximum earnings potential, especially those interested in business administration or criminal justice fields.
Miles College provides meaningful educational access for students from underserved communities, with three-quarters of students receiving Pell Grants and net prices well below typical private college costs.
The college offers a pathway to economic advancement for first-generation and low-income students who value affordability and personalized attention over maximum earnings potential.
Miles College is a small private nonprofit institution in Fairfield, Alabama, that serves a predominantly low-income student population with strong financial aid support. The college enrolls about 76% Pell Grant recipients and 42% first-generation students, reflecting its mission to provide educational access to underserved communities. While earnings outcomes place the institution in the lower tier nationally, with graduates earning a median of $32,627 ten years after enrollment, Miles College offers meaningful value through its affordable net pricing and personalized educational environment.
The college's strength lies in its accessibility rather than its earnings outcomes. Net prices for low-income students average just $13,517 annually, making it one of the more affordable private college options in Alabama. This affordability, combined with the college's focus on supporting first-generation students, creates pathways to higher education for students who might otherwise lack college access.
As a small private institution, Miles College provides the intimate learning environment and individualized support that many students need to succeed. While graduates may not achieve the highest earnings compared to larger research universities, the college serves an important role in expanding educational opportunity and supporting students from backgrounds that are often underrepresented in higher education.
Miles College's program portfolio focuses on practical, career-oriented fields that prepare students for stable employment in business and public service sectors. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program, with 49 graduates annually, and the highest-earning field, with median earnings around $29,141 ten years after graduation. This program represents the college's core strength in preparing students for management and entrepreneurial roles in the regional economy.
Corrections Administration, the second-largest program with 43 graduates, reflects the college's commitment to public service careers, with graduates earning about $24,679 in median income. This program aligns with growing demand for criminal justice professionals and provides a pathway to stable government employment with benefits and job security.
While the college's program mix is more limited than larger institutions, it focuses on fields where graduates can find reliable employment in Alabama and the broader Southeast. The emphasis on business and criminal justice reflects practical workforce needs and provides students with clear career pathways, even if absolute earnings levels remain modest compared to more technical or specialized fields.
Miles College graduates earn a median of $32,627 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the lower tier of national earnings outcomes. However, graduates do earn slightly more than expected compared with similar students at other institutions, with earnings beyond expectations of about $920 annually. This modest premium reflects the college's ability to add some value despite resource constraints, though overall earnings remain below national averages for four-year institutions.
The college's program portfolio centers on practical, career-focused fields. Business Administration and Management is the largest and highest-return program, graduating 49 students annually with median earnings around $29,141 ten years out. Corrections Administration, the second-largest program with 43 graduates, leads to median earnings of about $24,679. These programs reflect the college's focus on preparing students for stable, accessible career paths in business and public service sectors.
While earnings outcomes are modest compared to research universities, they represent meaningful economic advancement for the student population Miles College serves. For many first-generation and low-income students, the college provides a pathway to middle-class stability and economic mobility that might not otherwise be available.
Miles College demonstrates strong affordability across all income levels, making private higher education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay an average net price of $13,517 annually, well below typical private college costs and competitive with many public institutions. Middle-income families see net prices around $15,789, while higher-income students pay about $20,491, reflecting a pricing structure that provides substantial aid to those who need it most.
The college's financial aid approach prioritizes access over exclusivity, with nearly 76% of students receiving Pell Grants and significant institutional support reducing sticker prices for most families. This commitment to affordability allows the college to serve its mission of providing educational opportunity to underserved communities, particularly in Alabama and the broader Southeast region.
Debt levels require careful consideration, as typical graduates leave with about $31,217 in federal student loan debt. While this amount is manageable given the college's affordable net prices, it represents a significant portion of early-career earnings. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $10,283, a relatively modest amount that suggests families are thoughtful about additional borrowing beyond student loans.
Miles College excels at providing educational access to underserved student populations. With 76% of students receiving Pell Grants and 42% being first-generation college students, the college serves one of the most economically diverse student bodies in Alabama. An estimated 12% of students transfer in from other institutions, indicating the college's role as a pathway for students seeking to complete their degrees.
This high level of access reflects the college's mission-driven commitment to expanding educational opportunity. However, mobility outcomes present challenges that reflect broader resource constraints. Classified as an "Under-Resourced Institution" in the mobility framework, Miles College combines high access with more limited success in generating strong economic outcomes for low-income students.
Low-income graduates earn about $27,900 ten years after enrollment, placing the college in the bottom tier nationally for low-income earnings outcomes. Graduation rates also lag, with overall six-year completion at 26% and eight-year completion for Pell recipients at 21%. Despite these challenges, the college provides meaningful educational opportunity for students who might otherwise lack access to higher education.
For many graduates, the economic advancement achieved represents significant progress from their starting point, even if absolute earnings levels remain modest compared to more selective institutions.
Miles College combines exceptional access with more limited mobility outcomes, serving 76% Pell recipients and 42% first-generation students while achieving modest earnings results.
The college falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" category, reflecting high access but constrained resources that limit graduation rates and post-graduation earnings compared to better-funded institutions.
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